Recent content from Richard Meryhew
June 16, 2012: New stadium head has deep political roots
Michele Kelm-Helgen grew up in a family that lived, breathed politics.
Cop-killing suspect got drug treatment, not longer sentence
As Brian Fitch Sr. faces first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of veteran officer Scott Patrick, some law enforcement officials are questioning whether a judge treated him too leniently.
Dec. 22, 2012: Hoffner gets 20-day unpaid suspension
Todd Hoffner's status as Minnesota State, Mankato's football coach remains unclear. The unpaid suspension might be over his use of university cellphone.
Church lawyer turned whistleblower named 'person of the year'
Jennifer Haselberger, 39, of St. Paul was honored in an editorial by the National Catholic Reporter for her courage in speaking out against Archbishop John Nienstedt.
It's lights out for Metrodome
Well-behaved Metrodome fans say goodbye to an era. Hometown heroes of all stripes helped build memories.
Prior Lake Marine receives Silver Star for rescuing wounded comrade
Cpl. Ethan Nagel was cited for rescuing a comrade from capture in Afghanistan by the Taliban while firing on the enemy and doing so while being wounded himself.
No. 6: New Vikings stadium: Big, bold and glassy
The stadium will have giant pivoting glass doors that open to the downtown Minneapolis skyline. Seven stadium decks will surround a field of artificial turf with two giant high-tech scoreboards at each end zone.
Fraud case, militia ties shock Maplewood vet's neighbors
Keith Michael Novak, an intelligence analyst with the Minnesota National Guard, awaits a Monday court hearing after being accused of stealing information so he could make fake IDs for militia members.
Dec. 8: Vikings, Wells Fargo resolve sign issue
The disagreement over 2 large signs had threatened the $400M project near the new stadium.
Abuse scandal to persist, even after naming priests
Minnesota's Catholic dioceses under pressure to make public the names of additional accused clerics.
Dec. 5, 2013: Archdiocese names 32 priests accused of abusing minors
The archdiocese's publication of a list of metro priests deemed to have abused kids is unprecedented in Minnesota.
Dec. 4: Now real work can begin on stadium
As time runs out for the Dome, fans and dignitaries broke ground on new home.
Archdiocese alerts parishes about naming clergy accused of abuse
An e-mail from the vicar general says 92 of its churches had at least one of the priests assigned to them over the years. The list will be posted online and printed Thursday.
Zygi Wilf, Gov. Dayton turn the dirt on new Vikings stadium
The 2½-year mission to build a $1 billion new home for the Minnesota Vikings ceremonially kicked off Tuesday morning with a long-awaited groundbreaking outside the Metrodome.
Man who sued archdiocese for abuse turns anger into change
Nearly 37 years after Rev. Jerome Kern sexually assaulted him, Al Michaud plans to file a report with St. Paul police documenting the assault in hopes that it will lead to criminal charges.
Abuse suit filed against St. Luke clergy treatment center
A lawsuit involving a Minnesota priest claims St. Luke Institute and the archdiocese concealed threat to minors.
Obituary: Ray Stumpf, teacher, Navy veteran
He was an athlete, a car collector, a U.S. Navy scuba diver and a longtime middle school teacher. But it was his short stint…
Effort to ban Redskins name, logo during Nov. 7 game at Dome fails
As the Nov. 7 Vikings-Washington game approaches, American Indian activists had hoped to persuade officials that the Redskins nickname is offensive.
$17 million deal to buy plaza takes heat off Vikings stadium talks
The Vikings, meanwhile, reportedly are "alarmed" that the project cost estimates have soared by $45 million and are talking with a "separate contractor" to explore pricing options and estimates.
Oct. 10: $975M isn't enough for everything in stadium
As groundbreaking nears on a new stadium, the team finds it may have to trim some amenities like a parking garage and a skyway.
St. Cloud mosque on hold
Opposition in St. Cloud centered on the location but was underlined by some nasty e-mails.
Minneapolis, new Vikings stadium among finalists for 2018 Super Bowl
With no name and no concrete yet poured, the nearly $1 billion Vikings stadium has Minneapolis on shortlist with two other cities to host the game.
Vikings fans digest new seat license fees of up to $10,000
Season-ticket holders face license cost of up to $10,000 in new stadium.
Vikes fans to pay hefty seat fees - $2,500 average - at new stadium
Those fees -- raising $100 million of the Vikings contribution for the new stadium -- will range from a low of $500 per seat to a high of $10,000, per seat, with an average of $2,500 per seat.
Sept. 27: Doubts, controversy persist over stadium deal
A plan to fund part of construction with revenues from untested electronic gambling games was officially declared a bust last week. Potentially hefty fees for stadium seat licenses have again angered the governor and threaten to alienate loyal season-ticket holders.
Obituary: Gerard Cafesjian helped save carousel
Growing up near Coney Island in the 1930s, Gerard L. Cafesjian developed an affection for merry-go-rounds.So much so that when the Minnesota State Fair carousel…
Minnesota Somalis united against terror group Al-Shabab
Five years after bitter debate over an upstart terror group divided their Minnesota community, Somalis stand against Al-Shabab.
Sept. 13: Wilfs can finance their share of stadium
Minnesota Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf have more than enough money to pay for their share of their team's new stadium, even if a New Jersey judge orders them to pay hefty punitive damages in a bitter real estate case, a top stadium official said Friday.
Sept. 16: Dayton wants Vikings to put up more equity
He wants to ensure Wilfs don't pass on stadium costs.
Vikings stadium official: Wilfs can pay their share
It's not necessary to wait for a New Jersey court ruling on the Wilf family finances for the authority to move forward with stadium, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Authority Chair Michele Kelm-Helgen said.
Aug. 27: Fight over Wilfs' data may stall stadium plan
Vikings officials have agreed to provide analysts with more financial information on team owners Mark and Zygi Wilf, but fears continue to grow that construction of the new football stadium in downtown Minneapolis is falling behind schedule.
Vikings owners look to keep their family finances from public
Lawyers for the Vikings owners will ask a New Jersey court next week to seal documents with the family's net worth.
Aug. 28: Wilfs' info kicks state review into high gear
Despite substantial progress on audit, stadium construction could still be delayed, an official warns.
Aug. 30: Fight over land near stadium gets bitter
Authority accuses plaza's owner of overstating value.
'Person of interest' wanted in connection with Granite Falls shootings
A Granite Falls, Minn., woman was shot to death in her home about 3:30 a.m. Monday and her boyfriend critically wounded, officials said.The public's help…
Aug. 18: Wilf inquiry adds pressure to stadium timeline
Any delays caused by a review of his finances would ripple through the construction schedule.
Vikings stadium deal is put on hold for probe of Wilf family finances
A racketeering specialist will be looking into finances of Vikings' owners after New Jersey case.
Aug. 12: Mpls. Planning Commission OKs stadium design
Despite some sharp criticism from one of its members, a Minneapolis commission approved the plan.
Aug. 11: Doubts about Wilfs complicate stadium talks
The governor and the Sports Facilities Authority are poring over the final details of the deal.
Metrodome demolition won't be a blast
Turns out, there'll be no big-bang farewell for the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.Instead, the 31-year-old downtown Minneapolis sports venue that has played host to hundreds…
Mpls. city committee has lots of ideas for Vikings stadium
Recommendations include protecting birds and encouraging bikes.
Vikings push to add tailgating options in time for new stadium
With some prime tailgating lots near the new stadium targeted for development, the NFL team is working to fill the void and preserve a gameday tradition.
Metrodome is ready to sell off its parts
As the Metrodome enters its final months, the venue's operators are making plans to sell off everything from the seats to the scoreboards.
2013: Michael Karkoc's story stuns Minneapolis, launches global inquiries
For decades, Michael Karkoc has lived a quiet life in Minneapolis. Now he stands accused of being a Nazi collaborator. All want to know — who is this 94-year-old Ukrainian immigrant?
Son disputes report that Mpls. man was Nazi commander
The Associated Press reported Friday that a 94-year-old retired carpenter and father of six living for decades in northeast Minneapolis is a former Nazi SS officer.
Obituary: Bob Sadek, longtime teacher and coach
On the wall of Jim Isaak’s office at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester hangs a framed reminder of that magical season 32 years ago.…
Man of steel is good as gold for Minnesota man
A 75-year-old comic book plucked from the walls of a western Minnesota house sold at auction for $175,000.
$400 million plan would reshape downtown east
The five-block area would become home to two, 20-story office towers spanning 1.2 million square feet of space.
June 1: Architects see stadium site as unique urban park
Planners are hoping people will gather there even when the Minnesota Vikings aren't playing.
Neighborhood residents weigh in on new Vikings stadium design
Neighbors shared mixed reviews on the new Vikings stadium design, but welcomed its neighborhood impact.
Retractable features an open question on Vikings stadium
Much-anticipated design is more likely to feature a movable wall or window than a retractable roof.
Choice of designer opens window on Vikings stadium
Dallas firm behind new homes for Cowboys, Colts will design Vikings stadium. HKS plans to solicit public input in coming weeks.
Choice of Vikings stadium designer likely 'soon'
Sports authority now debating its five options, chairwoman says.
Vikings stadium: Taller than Metrodome, sloped roof, maybe sliding walls
Potential details emerge for Vikings' $975 million new home.
Stadium architects strut their stuff for Vikings fans
Five firms competing to design a new home for Vikings showed off their work at Dome.
Vikings pick the home team -- Mortenson -- to build new stadium
Mortenson is a familiar name on the local sports construction scene, having built new homes for the Twins, Wild, Timberwolves and University of Minnesota football team.
Builder: Plan rests on his shoulders
John Wood faces his most formidable building challenge yet: the nearly billion-dollar Vikings stadium in downtown Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vikings stadium design to be unveiled May 13
Designers will unveil details of the Vikings' new home at the Guthrie Theater on May 13.
Stadium architect: HKS Inc.
Headquarters: Dallas Resume: Designed two of the NFL's newest stadiums in Dallas and Indianapolis. Resume stuffer: Now known for retractable roofs, walls and windows. Quote:…
New Minnesota Vikings stadium, a Q&A
1. What will be built? The stadium financing legislation approved by Minnesota legislators and signed by Gov. Mark Dayton in May 2012 calls for a…
Vikings, U near agreement on TCF Bank Stadium lease
The Minnesota Vikings and University of Minnesota have reached a tentative agreement that will allow the NFL team to play at TCF Bank Stadium in…
Former Mankato football coach Todd Hoffner fired by school
School officials won't comment on why former football coach was removed from their payroll earlier this week
Mower County to continue supervising medical treatments for HIV baby
Parents won custody, but county officials will supervise.
200 free tickets available for unveiling of Vikings stadium design
Free tickets to the unveiling of the new Vikings stadium design will be available to about 200 members of the general public.
Time for a Plan B for Vikings stadium financing?
Sluggish sales of electronic pulltabs have legislators concerned.
Friend of slain Little Falls teen pleads guilty to break-in charges
Teen admits he was a lookout in two burglaries committed by Nick Brady, who was killed by a homeowner in a third break-in.
Little Falls man indicted on first-degree murder in teens' deaths
Byron David Smith, 64, has been indicted on first-degree, premeditated murder charges in the deaths of Haile Kifer, 18, and her cousin, Nick Brady, 17, as they broke into his home.
Dec. 17: Little Falls divided by tragedy
Some see a Little Falls man defending his home. Others see two teens executed.
Star Tribune wins 2 Pulitzers: Local reporting, cartooning
The Star Tribune won for local reporting on a spike in infant deaths in poorly regulated home day cares and for editorial cartooning.
Mower County mom says she will give son his HIV meds
But she fears baby boy could be harmed by the powerful drugs.
Minnesota boy's HIV treatment pits family against county
A legal fight over custody and medical treatment of a 4-month-old boy who has tested positive for HIV kicked off in a southern Minnesota courtroom Monday with the boy's grandmother saying that she would take him off the drugs used to treat his infection if she could legally do so.
March 9: HIV baby Rico goes home, but fight goes on
After spending the past seven weeks in a hospital crib connected to a feeding tube and powerful drugs, 3-month-old Rico went home Friday. But the legal battle between his parents and a southern Minnesota county over custody and supervision of his care is far from over.
Dermatologist banned from cosmetic surgery by state board
Three complaints led to the ban by a state board, which faced questions about discipline process.
Feb. 6: State fails to offer full disclosure
Minnesota's medical board doesn't provide access to malpractice awards and other records that are readily available in other states.
Little Falls artist's painting for vets cemetery unites unlikely pair
An artist and a veteran have become fast friends while creating a memorial for generations to come.
